Send a Card: A Recovering American Soldier

I've seen the Holiday Card meme going around the past month and haven't really participated in it - I'm still trying to manage family holiday plans and gift-buying let along getting cards out. Perhaps next year.

However, my new sister-in-law sent me a note containing a address to which to send cards much more appropriate than me:

I'm sure many of you are currently writing cards to friends and family. If you can, please send an extra one to our American military heroes who are recuperating from wounds this Holiday Season. Please enclose a short note thanking them for their service and personal sacrifice. They are the protectors of our freedom, we must let them know that we appreciate their sacrifices.

Your small act of kindness will be greatly appreciated.

Here's the address...

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

If you would, please send a card & forward this message to your email friends.

As many of you know, my youngest brother Jonathan, (jdbryce), is serving over in Iraq with his unit, not scheduled to come back until next XMas at the earliest. I can't speak for him but as his brother, I would like to think should he be injured in his tour of duty, he would appreciate any sort of well-wishing he received - especially during the holidays.

I know most of you who read this blog do not support the war in Iraq. However, I do know that many of you support our soldiers who are over there. My feeling on the current state of things is that we shouldn't be there, we violated a host of International laws, the situation is not improving but an immediate redeployment of all troops is stupid and irresponsible. I'd really like to se the US do a mea culpa, (never will happen), and as UN Peacekeepers to transition in and take over training, security, and rebuilding efforts. Regardless, we need to start leaving Iraq - the insurgency followed us there, we didn't go after them.

Nonetheless, in any letters or cards you send to recovering soldiers please try and keep politics out of it. Don't tell them you didn't support the war but support them - I'm sure many of them are depressed as it is. Thank them for their service to us and send them well-wishes for a speedy recovery.

I am continually disgusted, disillusioned, and disappointed with how we as Americans handled the return of our soldiers in Vietnam. Even now the current administration is making massive cuts in veteran support which not only effects those from past wars but the current conflict in Iraq. We can't forget what these men and women have done for us - even if we don't support the politics and government behind it. They signed a contract and are doing their job - many are just trying to make a living and don't expect to lose limbs, their livelihood and in some cases their will to live.

Happy Holidays to you and yours.